What is the importance of turquoise stone in Native American Culture?

By Gemexi Team | Jewelry

• Updated On Feb 7, 2023

• 

• 

• 

• 

Turquoise is a semi-precious Gemstone that has been revered as a talisman and a holy stone by everyone from the Ancient Egyptians to the ancient Persian Empire for thousands of years. It is described in the Holy Bible's Old Testament. Europeans associated the stone with horse and rider safety. But possibly no other connection exists between it and Native American peoples, for whom it is sacred, particularly in the United States Southwest. This is why it is used so frequently in Native American Style jewelry collections.

What is Turquoise Gemstone?

Turquoise is a naturally occurring Gemstone that was given to us by Mother Nature. Turquoise has always been a popular gemstone because it makes beautiful jewelry. Turquoise gets its name from the French word 'Pierre Turquoise,' which means 'Turkish stone,' because it comes from Turkey, and Turkish traders were among the first to introduce the stone to the rest of the globe. It has been discovered in Iran, Sinai, Bulgaria, China, Tibet, Afghanistan, Australia, India, Chile, Cornwall (UK), Turkestan, and the Southwest US in its finer grades.

Copper-Aluminium Hydrous Phosphate is the mineral makeup of this gemstone. The color ranges from a Sky Blue or Persian Blue (a popular description) to a Bluish Green, with matrix patterns frequently present. The Turquoise stone in its natural state is translucent. The raw turquoise stone is opaque, with blue, bluish-green, and green hues.

Because of the popularity of this gemstone and its color, the color Turquoise was named after it. Since its inception, it has been regarded as a symbol of protection, wisdom, calm, and everlasting love by cultures all over the world. Turquoise is known as a "living stone" because of its ability to change color depending on its surroundings. As a result, Native Americans see it as such. Archaeologists have uncovered turquoise in pre-Columbian burial sites in Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, Mexico, and Peru, among other countries.

Turquoise Gemstone's Importance in Native American Culture

The Native Americans believe that the Earth is a living being and that everything in nature is valuable. The Navajo have a tradition that when it finally rains after a long time of drought, human tears seep into the earth and produce turquoise.

Turquoise is considered to signify life, as well as the colors of the ground and sky, which it connects. The Navajo believe that wholesale native American silver jewelry is a fragment of the sky that has fallen to earth. Turquoise was traditionally connected with spirit contact, healing, and good fortune by Native American tribes such as the Navajo, Acoma Pueblo, and the Maya and Aztecs.

The Navajo believe that this stone provides good luck, and they keep it hanging from the ceiling or in baskets to keep evil away from their family. It was also used by Navajo warriors in combat to protect them from damage. It is usually presented as a gift and was tossed into the river when praying to the god of rain. According to Navajo mythology, a deity named Estsanatlehi was created from turquoise and is decorated with it. In Navajo coming-of-age ceremonies, she is honored.

Turquoise is associated with healing and high talent among the Pima people of southern Arizona. The Apache people equate the stone with rain that falls at the end of a rainbow. To keep their bows safe and give them power and skill in battle, they tied pieces of turquoise gemstone jewelry to them.
 

Important Healing Benefits of Turquoise Gemstone

Turquoise, like most gems, can be used as a powerful healing stone. So, what are the advantages of turquoise gemstone Native American jewelry?

Physical Healing with Turquoise

1. Boosts Immune System
2. Nutrient absorption
3. The damaged tissue is repaired
4. Heals sore throats and eyes
5. Reduces bodily aches and pains

Emotional Healing with Turquoise

1. Fights Depression and Fatigue
2. Stops panic attacks from happening
3. Inner peace is promoted
4. Turquoise Spiritual Healing Enhances Self-Awareness

Activates the chakras of the heart, throat, and third eye

Lower chakras are stabilized by the use of this beautiful gemstone called Turquoise. What exactly are the chakras? Chakras are spiritual energy centers that go from the top of your head to the bottom of your spine. Kindness, love, passion, and other virtues are also connected to the heart chakra. Your ability to communicate effectively and with confidence is directly linked to the important chakra called the throat chakra. The third-eye chakra is believed to open paths of knowledge and foresight. If your chakras are clogged, you may experience physical and spiritual pain. Turquoise gemstones, on the other hand, can open these chakras and heal you from the inside out.

Multiple Designs & Styles in Wholesale Native American Silver Jewelry

The given native american jewelry designs and styles incorporate Turquoise in a beautiful and unique way.

Zuni adornments

The people of Boho Native American Pueblo are known as Zuni. Zuni jewelry designers are noted for their unique stonework designs. These pieces' stones are cut and sculpted to fit into exact and elaborate designs. Cluster work, Needlepoint, Petit Point, and Inlay are the most popular Zuni jewelry styles. Small stones, usually turquoise or red coral, are delicately fashioned for uniformity within the design in Clusterwork, Needlepoint, and Petit Point. The stones are then placed in silver bezels in a variety of patterns, the most frequent of which are concentric circles. The following are some famous patterns involving Turquoise or other gems in this category.
 

1. Zuni Petit Point Jewelry design
2. Zuni Cluster Work Jewelry design
3. Zuni Fetish Necklaces designs
4. Zuni Needlepoint Jewelry designs
5. Navajo Squash Blossom Necklaces
6. Navajo Concho Belt (Repossé Technique)

Navajo adornments

Navajo Turquoise Jewelry, unlike Zuni jewelry, is characterized by large, sometimes uncut, stones set within a Sterling Silver bezel. Squash Blossom Necklaces with Navajo Turquoise gemstone & (Repossé Technique) Navajo Concho Belt are also quite famous.
 

Hopi jewelry

Hopi jewelry differs from Zuni and Navajo jewelry in that it lacks masonry. The majority of these pieces are crafted of wholesale sterling silver jewelry and include intricate native american feather jewelry. An overlay is a technique used frequently in Hopi jewelry making.

Santo Domingo Pueblo Jewelry

The Navajo, Hopi, and Zuni jewelry producers are more well-known than the Santo Domingo Pueblo, which is located along the Rio Grande River. They are best known for the Heishe or Heishi Necklace, a sort of necklace.
 

Most Popular Native American Fashion Jewelry Styles Incorporating Turquoise & other Gems

Despite the great range of forms and designs, most native American jewelry falls into one of many categories. We've put together a list of some of the most popular Native American fashion jewelry styles to help you navigate our collections. Many of the works on our site do not fit neatly into a single category; they may fit into several categories or stand out for their uniqueness.
 

1. Single stone - Single stone pieces, including wholesale native american earrings, native American rings, and sterling silver native american pendants, are among the most popular Native American silver jewelry styles.
2. Multi-Stone
3. Row
4. Cluster - Arranged Cluster, Random Cluster
5. Rainbow
6. Inlay - Channel Inlay, Stone to Stone Inlay
7. Overlay - Storyteller Overlay
8. Polished
9. Hammer Work - Stamp Work, Repousse, File Work
10. Cast Work- Sand Casting, Tufa Casting, Machine Casting
11. Shank Work - Bangle
12. Contemporary

• Tags:
• Importance Of Turquoise Gemstone
• Native American Style Jewelry Collections
• Turquoise Gem And Native American People